Information and opinions presented in this article were derived from the author’s interview with Mr. Joel Urick (Toshiba Medical Systems – Senior Product Manager, MR) and supplemented with information from Toshiba’s 2010 RSNA media kit, corporate web site and other public information sources.
Summary
At RSNA 2010 the company showcased the new Vantage™ Titan™ 3T scanner, which is still pending FDA 510(k) approval. Upon approval, it will be the second 3T wide-bore (70+ cm) MR system on the market. Combined with existing 1.5T Titan™ and Atlas® products, Toshiba’s compact product line seems to offer capabilities and features desired by a broad spectrum of customers.
Toshiba’s commitment to patient comfort was also discussed by their people on the floor. They offer two models with a wide 71 cm patient bore diameter. Toshiba also has standard extended patient tables that enable feet-first examinations, so a patient’s head never needs to enter the scanner for a below-the-neck scan. Furthermore, Toshiba is the only company emphasizing exam noise reduction, which is particularly important for pediatric and geriatric exams. Their proprietary Pianissimo™ technology reduces noise by up to 90% compared to other MR systems.
RSNA Press Releases
Toshiba’s media kit contained two releases relevant to MR technology:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Toshiba Showcases Patient-Friendly 3T MR System (November 29, 2009) and
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Toshiba MR Technology Improves Efficiency And Patient Care Through Patient-Focused MR Design (December 3, 2009).
Product Line
Toshiba’s current MR product line is summarized in the table below.
Vantage™ Model
Titan™ 3T
Titan™ 1.5T
Atlas®
Introduced
2010
2008
2003
Field Strength
3.0 T
1.5 T
1.5 T
Bore Diameter
71 cm
71 cm
65.5 cm
Bore Length
NA
140 cm
140 cm
Coil Elements (max)
NA
128
NA
RF Channels (max)
32
32
NA
Field of View
NA
50 cm
50 cm
Gradient Field (max)
NA
30 mT/m
33 mT/m
Slew Rate (max)
NA
NA
NA
NA à Information “Not Available”
Notes:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->The Vantage™ Titan™ 3T is pending FDA 510(k) clearance, so it is not currently available for sale to U.S. customers.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Product data was derived from a combination of four sources:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->§<!--[endif]-->Interview with Mr. Urick,
<!--[if !supportLists]-->§<!--[endif]-->Toshiba’s RSNA 2009 media kit (link),
<!--[if !supportLists]-->§<!--[endif]-->Toshiba Medical Systems web site (link) and
What are Toshiba’s customers most concerned about?
Toshiba’s customers generally focus on MR productivity, image quality and patient comfort. Increasing scanner speed provides significant benefits in all three areas.
Productivity is driven mainly by scanner speed. Obviously, shorter scan procedure time enables an MR team to handle higher patient volume. The reduction in repeat exams is also important. Motion artifacts in MR images decline as system speed increases. So, the need to repeat MR procedures will also decline as speed increases.
Image accuracy, clarity and consistency are important elements of quality. Again, rapid scans reduce motion artifacts, which positively impacts image quality.
Several aspects of MR system design directly affect patient comfort. Toshiba MR systems offer wide patient openings, feet-first scanning, noise reduction technologies and fast scanning (speed) to minimize patient discomfort.
Toshiba is showcasing the new Vantage™ Titan™ 3T at RSNA 2010 What can you tell me about this product?
The Vantage™ Titan™ 3T will be the second wide-bore 3T product on the market. FDA 510(k) approval is pending, so it is not currently available for sale to U.S. customers.
The Titan™ 3T has an industry-leading 71 cm patient opening, giving patients more room and reducing claustrophobia. It also includes Toshiba’s Pianissimo™ acoustic noise-reduction technology, decreasing exam noise up to 90% without compromising image quality.
The system also incorporates the ability to perform contrast-free MR exams, including:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI) for evaluating peripheral vascular diseases of the lower legs and extremities;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Contrast-free Improved Angiography (CIA) for easier visualization of smaller vessels;
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse (Time-SLIP) for evaluating hemodynamic, functional assessments and visualization of vascular structures; and
<!--[if !supportLists]-->w<!--[endif]-->Time and Space Angiography (TSA) to create non-contrast time-resolved imaging with high temporal resolution.
Toshiba is the only imaging vendor to offer advanced contrast-free MR techniques.
What is the advantage of feet-first imaging?
If a patient does not require a head or neck scan, his head never needs to enter the opening of the scanner. This greatly reduces problems with claustrophobia and improves overall patient comfort. An extended patient table, which enables feet-first scanning, is standard on both Titan™ models.
Where to you see 3T heading within Toshiba lineup and the marketplace overall?
3T systems accounted for 42% of all MR orders in 3Q09.
Research centers are no longer the only buyers of 3T systems. Compared with 1.5T scanners, 3T systems are capable of significantly higher image resolution and reduced scan times. 3T capabilities are critical to medical centers that need to perform MR Spectroscopy and Functional Imaging exams.
Is there a loss of image quality when going from 60 cm to 70 cm bore diameter?
No. The Titan™ 1.5T has been shipping for over two years. This system delivers outstanding clinical image quality.
Do you foresee stronger magnets (> 3T) or significantly larger bore openings (> 71 cm)?
No. There are significant technical hurdles and diminishing returns in both cases.
